A protester kicks a burning Waymo vehicle during an anti-ICE protest in downtown Los Angeles, California, on June 8, 2025. The protest erupted after a wave of federal immigration raids began on June 7, with National Guard troops deployed to the city despite objections from local officials. Demonstrators called for an end to deportations and the dismantling of ICE. (Photo by Benjamin Hanson / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by BENJAMIN HANSON/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
Los Angeles, California – A federal grand jury has indicted two Southern California residents on charges stemming from a confrontation with law enforcement during an anti-immigration enforcement protest in downtown Los Angeles last month.
According to prosecutors, the incident occurred on July 17 outside the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building and United States Courthouse, where a small group of protesters had gathered in response to recent federal immigration enforcement operations. The building, like other federal facilities, is marked with signage indicating its status as federal property.
The indictment charges Erin Petra Escobar, 34, of the Palms neighborhood in Los Angeles, with one felony count of assault on a federal officer or employee and one misdemeanor count of depredation of government property. Nick Elias Gutierrez, 20, of Hawthorne, faces two felony counts: assault on a federal officer or employee, and assault on a federal officer or employee resulting in bodily injury.
Court documents allege that Escobar was seen by a federal officer using a permanent marker to write on and deface part of the Roybal building. When officers approached to detain her, Gutierrez allegedly intervened, grabbing the straps of an officer’s bulletproof vest with both hands and shaking him. The scuffle drew in two additional federal officers. During the struggle, prosecutors say, one officer suffered a dislocated left ring finger.
Escobar and Gutierrez were eventually detained. While being transported to a nearby holding cell, Escobar allegedly spat in the face of one of the officers, according to the indictment.
Both defendants were released on $5,000 bond and are scheduled to be arraigned on August 15 in United States District Court in Los Angeles.
If convicted, Escobar could face up to eight years in federal prison for the assault charge, along with an additional year for the property damage charge. Gutierrez faces up to 20 years for the assault resulting in injury charge and up to eight years for the second assault count.
Federal prosecutors emphasized that the charges are allegations and that both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
